Growers have begun harvesting a smaller than expected tobacco crop due to drought, but high in quality, The Herald said in a story citing farm officials.

Commercial Farmers Union President Wonder Chabikwa said growers were expecting higher prices. Demand for flue-cured Virginia could be strong this season, said Andrew Matibiri, chief executive of the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB), the newspaper said on its website.
TIMB has not yet set the dates for the auction season, which usually starts in February. Zimbabwe this year declared a state of emergency due to the impact of the drought on food crops.